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FATTY FISH – Feast on wild caught mackerel, sardines, trout, and salmon rich in DHA and other OMEGA 3s to promote retina health and aid in the production of healthy tears.

DARK GREEN LEAFY VEGGIES – Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and broccoli rabe are filled with antioxidants that have protective benefits and lower the risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.

Eyelash extensions are all the rage. You can’t turn the page of a magazine, scroll through Instagram, or catch your favorite celeb’s latest look without seeing perfectly fanned, luscious lashes. But, there’s a good chance you know at least one person who had an adverse reaction to this primping regimen…

Concerns from a doctor’s perspective:

Even under the most ideal circumstance, without introducing any foreign solvent or accessory, the eyes, lids, and/or lid margin can experience an allergic reaction.

Consider this –- AAO cites the following hazards of using eyelash extensions:

Infection of the cornea

Infection of the eyelid

Swollen eyelids

Temporary or permanent loss of eyelashes

You may also experience redirection of natural lashes and/or allergic reaction to eye and or lids.

We recommend doing your research if you are serious about eyelash extensions. Locate a reputable salon and an aesthetician who has performed many applications under strict sanitary guidelines. If you have any issues after application, make an appointment with your eye doctor immediately.

Should you choose to forego extensions, there are plenty of other options out there: investing in a quality mascara can help you achieve the long, luscious effect that everyone is obsessed with.

Take a cue from MODO‘s ECO® brand to help celebrate Earth Day! ECO® is the only eyewear brand to offer frames made almost exclusively of sustainable materials. They bring sustainability and social responsibility full circle – from the materials they use in their frames to the nearly 1.5 million trees they have planted so far that clean the air and enable farmers to support their communities.

ECO®’s recycled collection frames are crafted out of 95% recycled materials, while their biobased frames are made with 63% castor seeds. The frames are colorful and playful, and they even offer a magnetic sun clip to maximize your ECO® look!

Ever wonder why, by the end of your workday, your eyes start to feel watery and appear bloodshot, and your lids get heavy? Well, you’ve probably been working hard in front of a computer screen or handheld device all day, right? Honestly, we are all “connected” somehow, and the blue light follows us everywhere…

So, how can you combat the effects of constant exposure to blue light? Luckily there are special lenses and fashionable magnetic clip-ons that are specially made to protect your eyes from straining caused by blue light. These lenses are essential for living and working alongside technology.

According to Blue Clip Magnetic Eyewear®, the sources of blue light have expanded over the years to include TVs, computer screens, tablets, and smartphones – all of which increase prolonged exposure.

Stop by The Eyewear Boutique in Neptune or Red Bank to learn how wearing blue-light-filtering lenses can serve to protect your eyes, increase your comfort level, and perhaps even deliver a more restful night’s sleep when utilized 2-3 hours before bed.

Patricia E. Carniglia, OD, FAAO, completed her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Business Administration. She returned to the East Coast to attend SUNY College of Optometry, where she earned her Doctor of Optometry and completed her Residency in Binocular Vision and Pediatrics. Dr. Carniglia divided her time between clinical teaching at SUNY College of Optometry and private practice. She had her own practice on Park Avenue in Manhattan from 2005 to 2017.

Dr. Carniglia joined Del Negro & Senft Eye Associates in 2018 with 30 years’ experience as an Optometrist in New York City. Throughout her career, she has focused on comprehensive eye care, binocular vision, pre- and post-operative management of cataracts, corneal, and refractive surgery as well as emergency eye care. In addition, she performed contact lens fittings with astigmatic, multifocal, and rigid gas permeable lenses. Dr. Carniglia uses the latest technology to halt the progression of nearsightedness in children and young adults.

Dr. Carniglia served on the Board of Directors for the NY Academy of Optometry for 12 years, was on the Advisory Board of TLC Laser Eye Center in Manhattan for two years, and is a member of the American Academy of Optometry. In addition, she is a recipient of both the Fred Brock Memorial Vision Therapy Award and the Bausch and Lomb Award for Excellence in Contact Lenses.

As the new year begins, make your vision a priority! January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. It is important to educate yourself about this sight-stealing disease. Early detection is critical…

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease that can slowly destroy the delicate nerve fibers that carry signals from the back of the eye to the brain. Generally, high pressure within the eye is responsible for the damage, but even patients with normal pressure can experience loss of this important nerve function due to glaucoma.

It’s important to be checked yearly to ensure glaucoma is not present, because patients do not always feel the symptomatic elevated eye pressure as it slowly robs them of their sight. Because it can be inherited, if one family member has glaucoma, other family members should be checked.

While glaucoma typically affects people age 40 and older, it can strike at any age. Glaucoma is called “the silent thief” because there is no pain or noticeable change in vision during the early stages of the disease.

No treatment can restore vision already lost to glaucoma. The goal of treatment is to prevent further vision loss.

Click here to read more about the types of glaucoma and learn about the available treatment options.

Thanks to Hackensack Meridian Health for organizing this year’s Mitchell Vassar Vision Awareness Day at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge. A generous grant from Janice Mitchell Vassar makes it possible to offer educational information and provide free screenings not only during Vision Awareness Day, but throughout the year.

This year’s guest speaker, Scott MacIntyre, hails from American Idol fame. Scott gifted the audience with his calm and insightful spirit. He discussed his three principles to attaining the “Beauty In Life.” First, success begins with a choice; second, believing is seeing; and third, people who achieve their dreams are people who are not afraid to take risks. All three principles require that action is taken. According to Scott, you must take the risk to see the beauty in life.

It certainly is an inspirational story from a highly accomplished singer, songwriter, and pianist. He approached his blindness and not one, but two, kidney transplants as an opportunity to achieve his own personal greatness in life, family, and career. It’s hard not to witness all the beauty that arose from his seizing opportunity at every turn. Scott now shares his gifts with all of us, so we benefit from his taking initiative. In fact, he treated us to a live performance, which made it clear that he brings joy and inspiration to everyone who is lucky enough to catch a performance. Click here to learn more about Scott’s amazing story.

Del Negro & Senft Eye Associates is thankful to have been part of this year’s resource fair with exhibitions along with an array of Hackensack Meridian Health network services and programs. The NJ Sharing Network provided a wealth of information and inspirational stories of how one can save lives through organ and tissue donation. The Neptune Lion’s Club was on hand collecting prescription eyeglasses, as well as prescription and non-prescription sunglasses as part of its “Lions Recycle for Sight” program. For additional information on the Programs available through the Mitchell Vassar Bright Future Legacy throughout our community, click here.

An estimated 3.2 million women age 50 and over and 1.68 million men age 50 and over are affected by dry eye syndrome.

More than 82 million people in the US are affected by blepharitis.

WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR DRY EYE TREATMENT PROGRAM

Dry Eye and Blepharitis are such common issues. Our goal is to create a customized, long term regimen to promote tear, ocular surface, and meibomian gland health. This customized treatment plan will force bothersome conditions into an asymptomatic state whereby patients can easily go about their day without irritation, pain, or discomfort. If you suffer from chronic irritation, red, watery eyes, or styes don’t give up hope.

BlephEx™ stands for microblepharoexfoliation, a painless procedure that safely and effectively removes the scurf and excess bacteria and biofilm that is responsible for the majority of low-grade inflammatory blepharitis, the primary cause of chronic dry eye disease.

With the BlephEx treatment Drs. Glatman and Wiedeman can precisely and safely clean and exfoliate your eyelids and lashes, which will almost immediately improve your symptoms. More importantly, by completely removing the exotoxin-laden biofilm along the lid margin, they can help you avoid the long-term inflammatory damage to your tear glands, preventing chronic dry eye syndrome.

If you are a candidate for the treatment, Drs. Glatman or Wiedeman can perform this painless, in-office procedure in under 10 minutes. The BlephEx handpiece is used to gently and carefully, spin a medical grade micro-sponge along the edge of your eyelids and lashes, removing scurf and debris and exfoliating your eyelids.

The disposable micro-sponge is used for each individual eyelid so bacteria is not spread between the lids. The eyes are then rinsed thoroughly.

PRN OMEGA-3 NUTRICEUTICALS

Not all Omega-3 products are created equal.

PRN removes Toxins from Unpurified Native Oil with heat and ethyl alcohol for concentration of Omega-3.

PRN takes an additional step to Remove Ethyl Alcohol in order to create a pure, Re-esterified Triglyceride (rTG) Form of Omega-3s.

This extraction process produces omega-3s similar to those found in nature when you eat foods like fish. This allows for 3x more easy absorption and means no ‘fish burps.’ *

Eye Omega Benefits®/ 4 softgels daily

Help for those with occasional dry eye symptoms such as scratchy or red eyes.

Monocular (One Eye) Mask Compress – This single eye solution, featuring MediBeads® technology, is ideal for busy schedules. The smart design makes it convenient for patients to treat a stye with warm, moist heat while still being able to go about their daily activities. It will loosen debris by the lash line making it easy to be removed. Simply heat for 15 seconds in the microwave then apply over closed eye for 10 minutes. Repeat as needed. (Instructions provided in packaging. DO NOT overheat.)

Gel Mask- Relax and renew with this spa-like treatment. Microwave gel mask for 30 seconds and apply for 10 minutes. This warm compress encourages the meibomian glands on the eyelids to produce more lipids therefore elevating the quality of tears produced, which, in turn, relieves the symptoms of dry eye. Repeat as needed. (Instructions provided in packaging. DO NOT overheat.)

Thanks to Hackensack Meridian Health and the Mitchell Vassar Bright Future Legacy for organizing Dr. Glatman’s presentation, Eyes are Everything. On October 26th, Dr. Glatman had the pleasure of presenting to and fielding questions from members of the community at Hackensack Meridian’s Community Outreach Center in the Freehold Raceway Mall. She discussed conditions such as dry eye, blephatritis, meibomian gland dysfunction, styes, ectropion, entropion, ptosis, and dermatochalasis. She also explained how certain eyelid conditions could be repaired surgically to provide the patient relief from scratchy, dry eyes and offer better visual acuity.

As you plan to wow with your costume this Halloween, don’t forget these important tips regarding decorative contact lens safety. It may just save your vision!

“Beware,” says Dr. Helene Clayton-Jeter, an optometrist and health programs coordinator at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Decorative contact lenses can cause serious eye damage if not fitted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. . . One of the greatest risks from these lenses is the possibility of an infection that could lead to blindness.”

FDA Tips for Safe Use

Below are several tips the campaign uses to reinforce the message that teens and young adults need to use decorative contact lenses safely:

Get an eye exam from a licensed eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist), even if you think your vision is perfect.

Get a valid prescription that includes the brand name, lens measurements, and an expiration date. But don’t expect your eye doctor to prescribe anime, or circle, lenses. These bigger-than-normal lenses that give the wearer a wide-eyed, doll-like look have not been approved by FDA.

Buy the lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you shop in person or online.